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Online gear sales
Dec 12, 2017 00:34:45   #
Sergo Loc: Washington State
 
I'm switching to the Panasonic micro 4/3 system and will need to sell my Canon gear.
I have never sold anything online before and I was wondering how one would proceed with the completion of the transaction.
This may be a stupid question but, it wouldn't be my first. So, do I wait for payment before sending gear? Or, do I ship the gear and hope the other side sends payment at the same time. Do you use PayPal or Postal money order? What protections does each side have? How do you guys work that out?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Dec 12, 2017 00:49:44   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
1) Establish a PayPal account. With PayPal you have protection. A Postal Money orders have been faked.
2) Never, ever, ever, ever ship until you have verification that payment has been received into your PayPal account. If they are in that much of a hurry, then they can process the PayPal transfer quickly.
3) When you ship valuable photo gear, use UPS or FedX, and REQUEST A SIGNATURE AT TIME OF DELIVERY. Charge them for freight.

Since this is your first time in e-commerce, consider listing your gear on E-Bay.

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Dec 12, 2017 00:54:05   #
AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK
 
I found the ebay/pay pal and all of that stuff to be too much hassle . . . I just advertise and sell locally using Craigs list . . . Local only, in person, cash only . . .
Also might see if camera shop will give me trade-in credit on old gear towards new gear . . .

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Dec 12, 2017 01:00:21   #
Beowulf Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI
 
First of all take good pics of your outfit, showing condition overall. Check what others have done with pics in the Classified section of UHH. Provide a complete and honest description of the items and include shutter count on the camera body. Post your price in the listing, including whether you include shipping in your price or if that needs to be added.

You should NEVER send the items until you have received payment! Use either PayPal if available to you, or you should ask for a money order or check. Do not mail the items until the m.o. or check clears, usually about 4-7 days after banking them.

Also, it is good to check the number of UHH posts by the purchaser, as someone who has a history here would be preferable to a brand new poster. Good luck with your sale.

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Dec 12, 2017 01:22:53   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
I prefer a bank (cashier’s) check or a money order, but buyers prefer PayPal. After years of fighting that battle, I caved and started accepting PayPal. As an aside, after years of selling gear here and on eBay, I’ve never had a problem with a money order. I never buy/sell on Craig’s List - too many horror stories.

I ship when I am comfortable doing so - sometimes that means waiting until the cash is permanently in my checking account and other times when I am confident the cash is on the way from an honest, honorable buyer. Again, I have never been burned in that regard. But I generally make an effort to: 1) demonstrate honest, straight-ahead dealing at my end and 2) gather a sense of what sort of person I’m dealing with. I trust my gut, but I have been burned on some purchase transactions where the goods received did not match the hype of the seller’s ad. I do pay attention to how well-established the buyer is on forums such as UHH and Facebook groups.

I tend to ship via USPS Priority Mail and often pay a little more for “signature upon receipt”. Insurance is often negotiable. Sometimes, I insist opon freight paid in full along with the purchase price. Other times, I’ll split (or share) the shipping cost. Depends on how tight the transaction market is for items in question. I often add nice bonus items to a parcel I’m selling - often things that cost me little, but leaves the buyer with a sense of value received.

I have 10 positive feedback ratings and soon to be 11. That is not a huge number compared with other UHH sellers, but is respectible compared with many.

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Dec 12, 2017 03:22:44   #
Leicaflex Loc: Cymru
 
Use PayPal and wait for the money to be deposited in your account, then send the equipmtent.
Good Luck

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Dec 12, 2017 08:12:02   #
pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA
 
A problem with PayPal is a buyer can claim they did not receive the merchandise if you don’t require a signature and have the payment recinded. Then you’ve got no money or merchandise. Personally I have sold to KEH knowing I’m not going to get retail. I’ve limited this to when I want something in their inventory. They are honest, will make a profit but will not scam you & run. Otherwise I sell locally via newspaper classifieds or Craigslist. I meet them in my driveway & am armed & skilled.

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Dec 12, 2017 10:54:32   #
Sergo Loc: Washington State
 
Thank you everyone for the great advice.

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Dec 13, 2017 07:28:15   #
berchman Loc: South Central PA
 
Craigslist horror stories? I have sold two expensive (got more than $500) iPhones through Craigslist and never had a problem. Once, I met the person in the lobby of the local YMCA; the other time in a Wendy's.

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Dec 13, 2017 09:15:48   #
RKL349 Loc: Connecticut
 
Sergo wrote:
I'm switching to the Panasonic micro 4/3 system and will need to sell my Canon gear.
I have never sold anything online before and I was wondering how one would proceed with the completion of the transaction.
This may be a stupid question but, it wouldn't be my first. So, do I wait for payment before sending gear? Or, do I ship the gear and hope the other side sends payment at the same time. Do you use PayPal or Postal money order? What protections does each side have? How do you guys work that out?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm switching to the Panasonic micro 4/3 system an... (show quote)


I have used Paypal. You lose very little money for handling through them. It is easy to set up a Paypal account for both seller and buyer. I always stipulate that when the money arrives in my account, I ship the product. I always ship by UPS Ground, and if buyer wants express shipping, that is added in to the cost of the transaction.

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Dec 14, 2017 15:04:07   #
BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten
 
If you go the paypal route don't accept an email from paypal as confirmation of payment, scammers have faked these.
Log into your account and check that way.

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